15 Celeb Couples Unveil The Secrets That Made Their Marriages Last

A recent study found that the average marriage in the United States now lasts just 7.6 years. While many factors can contribute to a divorce, it's clear that marriages today are under more pressure than ever before.

The average marriage lasts about eight years. So what's the secret to a lasting marriage?

Researchers have been trying to figure that out for years, and there are no easy answers. However, there are a few things that seem to help marriages last longer.

For one, it's important to have a strong relationship with a spouse—aside from being husband and wife, a couple should be best friends. It's also crucial to keep the lines of communication open.

Married couples should try to talk about anything and everything, even the tough topics. Finally, they should never forget to have fun together.

Laugh often and enjoy doing things together. Once a solid foundation has been built, the marriage is sure to last for a long time.

Today, we're looking at not just anyone's ways to make marriages successful. A number of celebrities who have been together for a long time reveal their secrets to making a marriage last.

The challenges faced by celebrities in their marriages are greater than those faced by regular people, mainly because they're in the public eye. So how did they make things work?

1. Mariska Hargitay and Peter Hermann

I never thought that I would laugh this much in my marriage. That is such a fundamental ingredient of who you are, this insistence on joy.

Hermann says in a book called What Makes a Marriage Last.

For the couple, it's always important to look for happiness in the relationship, including the time after a big argument.

Mariska Hargitay

2. Chip Gaines and Joanna Gaines

The couple sticks to the same advice they received through counseling before their wedding in 2003. Even after having five kids, they make it a point to have Tuesday date nights and look for other ways to connect.

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3. Kyra Sedgwick and Kevin Bacon

Honestly, we don't like to fight, so when we actually are in an argument, we're both looking for a solution.

The actress says. As for Kevin Bacon, he advises people to keep the sex dirty and the fights clean.

Cindy Ord/Getty Images

4. Michael J. Fox and Tracy Pollan

In some marriages, people look at their partner and see vulnerability, and they just can't help but go after that vulnerability, like it's a sport or something. We don't do that.

Fox explains. He wouldn't take his statements back either.

Instead, he gives his wife some space after an argument. In return, Pollan eventually becomes understanding of the situation.

You know what? He said something schmucky, and it made me feel bad. But he's a good person, and I'm going to give him the benefit of the doubt that he didn't realize that what he said hurt my feelings.

She said.

JOHN NACION/startraksphoto.com

5. Jamie Lee Curtis and Christopher Guest

For Curtis and Guest, it's all about nipping the argument in the bud. They never let misunderstandings linger.

There's always just a moment when there's a gesture. It's silent, the physical act of touching each other. I swear, it's nothing more than just a silent contact.

Curtis said. It's their acknowledgment that they're past the issue.

Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic

6. Neil Patrick Harris and David Burtka

Neil Patrick Harris and David Burtka understand that everything can become redundant when you're with the same partner. That's why it's important to find out how to get reattracted to your partner.

Steve Granitz/WireImage

7. Melissa McCarthy and Ben Falcone

Limiting disagreements is the key to a successful marriage for McCarthy and Falcone. They never go to bed angry at each other.

Their funny personalities bring life to their marriage as well. Whenever they make each other laugh, they make it a point to determine how much longer they'll live.

Okay, that was like two months—I just got two more months to live!Instagram

8. Ted Danson and Mary Steenburgen

Danson and Steenburgen were married before, so they both went through step-parenting with each other's children.

Steenburgen also realized that her role is to be the cheerleader for her stepchildren.

That's when I realized that everybody needs a cheerleader, right? There's never too many of those in your life, so that's what I'll be. I never set their boundaries, disciplined them, or tried to teach them right from wrong. They have parents who do that.

As for Danson, he believes that offering himself as a friend is what makes step-parenting work.

I'm not going to discipline you, and I'm not going to judge you. What I'm going to do is hang out with you and be there for you. And that's what you have to do: absolutely, genuinely be there.Christopher Polk/Variety/Shutterstock

9. Elton John and David Furnish

The couple has an unbroken practice, no matter where they are in the world. Every Saturday, they pen each other a handwritten letter.

For the couple, communication is key to a lasting marriage. They also agree that there's something special and authentic about handwritten letters.

Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for EJAF

10. Dr. Mehmet Oz and Lisa Oz

For this couple, it's all about prioritizing the marriage. They will always place importance on their bond above all else.

The bottom line is this: I would do anything for her. Climb any mountain, take any bullet—in the chest, too, by the way. I might do things that justifiably make her really angry at me, but I would never let anything block me from delivering my love to her.

Dr. Oz swore.

Manny Carabel/Getty Images

11. Al Roker and Deborah Roberts

Roberts wasn't a fan of "check-ins." In other words, she doesn't like it when a guy calls only to say, "What's up?"

Over time, this stance changed when Roker kept calling her. One of her friends tried to convince her about it too.

Did you ever think that maybe he just feels comfortable when he hears your voice, because that tells him that all is right in the world?

With a renewed viewpoint, she became open to such calls despite her busy schedule. That's because it makes a difference for the one she loves to hear her voice, even when it's a brief conversation.

Laura Cavanaugh/Getty Images

12. Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos

Believe it or not, among the foundations of Ripa and Consuelos' strong marriage are fights wherein the wedding ring gets thrown out the window. This happened frequently when they were newlyweds.

But Mark taught me to walk away and take a breath. That's when you figure out that it's not a marriage-defining moment.

Ripa says in realization.

Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

13. Viola Davis and Julius Tennon

Davis and Tennon are complete opposites. She's an introvert; he's an extrovert.

She's a bit messy, while he's a little OCD. Their marriage has lasted because they let each other "do their own thing."

Davis shared what she learned about her marriage with Tennon.

Your marriage starts when you look over at a person whom you love more than anything, and there's something about him—just one character trait that makes you say to yourself, 'Oh man, that's going to drive me crazy. I don't know if I can deal with this.' And then the next minute you say, 'But you know what? I love him.' That's when your marriage starts.Christopher Polk/Variety/Shutterstock

14. Lily Tomlin and Jane Wagner

For Tomlin and Wagner, it's all about not letting disagreements drag on. After a fight, it's usually Tomlin who says sorry.

She shares what she learned about fights with a partner.

Remember, when you're angry at your partner and say something hurtful, you will be angrier at yourself later for having said hurtful things to the person you love. You'll feel angry twice. Not good for your blood pressure, and certainly not good for your relationship.David Crotty/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images

15. Judges Judy Sheindlin and Jerry Sheindlin

The two judges' marriage wasn't as smooth as those of the people on this list. It was in 1990 when their marriage was dissolved.

However, they were able to rekindle their relationship a year later and quickly got married for the second time. Judy Sheindlin shares what she has learned.

Every relationship is different, but there is a common thread of unhappiness, and that unhappiness comes from trying to make another person different from who they are. You can try, but they're always going to resent it.Bruce Glikas/FilmMagic

The trials of celebrity marriages are on a whole new level.

While they have their fame and fortune to enjoy, they have busy schedules and don't get as much privacy as regular people do. These factors make marriages even more challenging.

So it's truly admirable when they find love and make it last. They always manage to make time for their spouses despite the demands of their jobs.

Did you learn some lessons about marriage from these stars? Share this post with your friends in a relationship too!